Telephone attachment.



W. BIMSON.

TELEPHONE ATTACHMENT.

APPLICATION FILED IEB.2, 1912. 1,064,599, Patented June 10,1913.

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W. BIMSON.

TELEPHONE ATTACHMENT.

APPIJIOATION FILED FEB. 2, 1912.

Patented June 10, 1913.

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WWW fli xm WILLIAM BIMSON, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TELEPHONE ATTACHMENT.

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Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1,1913.

Application filed February 2, 1912. Serial No. 674,908.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, lVILLIAiL BIMSON, a citizen of the United States, residing at Philadelphia, in the county of Philadelphia and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Telephone Attachments, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in telephone attachments and has for its object to provide a device of this character which may be attached to a telephone and permit said telephone to be held in the ordinary bracket which is usually attached to a desk, said bracket being hinged so that the telephone may be swung into or out of position for use.

A further object of the invention is to provide a holder for the telephone receiver which will be moved when the ear is placed against the receiver, and the head moved to one side, and this movement will cause the linger carried by the arm which holds the receiver, to move upward away from the receiver hoo-k thereby opening the switch of the telephone so that connection may be made with the parties desired.

A further object of my invention is to provide means to draw the finger down upon the receiver hook when the receiver is out of use which will depress said receiver hook and hold it in this position until it is to be again used and the position of the receiver will clearly indicate that the telephone is out of use.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a catch which will hold the receiver in talking position and further, a means for holding said catch out of operative position so that the telephone will always close when pressure is removed from the receiver.

Another object of my invention is to provide a new and improved construction of spring holder for the receiver. Other objects of the invention are to produce a new and improved construction which will be exceedingly simple, light in weight, relatively inexpensive in the cost of manufacture and the elimination of all springs.

With these ends in view, this invention consists in the details of construction and combination of elements hereinafter set forth and then specifically designated by the claims.

In order that those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains may understand how to make and use the same, I will describe its construction in detail referring by numeral to the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, in which Figure 1, is a side elevation of my improved attachment for telephones. Fig. 2, a plan view of the receiver holder. Fig. 3, a similar view of the attachment, the telephone being removed and the supporting arm and a portion of the base being broken away. Fig. A, a plan view of a portion of the base, the weight tube being removed. Fig. 5, an enlarged side elevation of the latch. Fig. 6, a front elevation of the attachment for telephones at right angles to Fig. 1, showing a portion of the weight tube in section. Fig. 7, an edge view of the pivoted plate. Fig. 8, a face view thereof, showing it in the tube. Fig. 9, a face view of one of the extensions to which the plate is pivoted, and Fig. 10, an enlarged perspective view of the catch. Fig. 11, is a side elevation of the outer end of the supporting arm showing the slot therein.

In carrying out my invention as here embodied, 2 represents the base which in appearance consists of two rings, a large one 3, and a small one at. The smaller .one being split, preferably at one side as indicated by 5, and at which point are formed a pair of extensions 6, through one of which passes a screw 12, said screw being threaded into the other extension to draw the ring 4 together in order that the size of its circumference may be varied. The larger ring 3 on which sets the base of the telephone has a number of notches '7 formed in the inner circumference thereof and in each of these set-s a nut into which is threaded a screw 8 said screw passing through the clip 9 and the ring 3. The clips are preferably 3 in number and each has its lower end bent at right angles to form a fulcrum lug 10, while the upper end is curved inward as at 11 to engage the upper portion of the telephone base. When these clips are in place, the fulcrum lug 10 engages the outer edge of the ring 3 so that as the screw 8 is drawn up, the upper ends of the clips will be drawn firmly against the base of the telephone.

In the ring 4 is set a weight tube 13 and is held in place by drawing said ring about the lower end thereof. In proximity to the upper end of the tube is formed a suitable opening 14 through which passes the nose 15 of the catch 16, said catch being pivoted at 17 between the arms of the bracket 18 which bracket is mounted upon the outside of the tube preferably being soldered thereto. The catch is so shaped that both ends thereof project to one side of the pivot point or fulcrum, thereby causing the upper end or nose to normally enter the opening 14 in the tube 13. If found desirable the friction between the plate 27 and the nose of the catch may be partially eliminated by a small roller 19 which rests in a groove in the upper end of the catch and mounted on a small shaft 20 which is in the form of a pin passing through the catch.

On the inside of the tube is mounted a hinge leaf or holding member 21 comprising a body 22 and right angled projections 23 in each of which is formed a slot 24 terminating in an enlarged portion or pivot fulcrum 25 in which set the pivot lugs or short shafts 26 formed with the plate 27. After the pivot lugs are in the pivot fulcrums 2a, the metal of the right angled eX- tensions, may be forced together thereby closing the slot 24 to prevent the accidental displacement of the pivot lugs 26. The hinge leaf or holding member 21 carries a pair of oppositely disposed pins 38 which project into the wall of the tube 13 and said holding member is held in place by a screw 39 passing through the wall of the'tube and threaded into the holding member.

The plate 27 is preferably hinged or pivoted 01f center as shown, but this is not essential, as the object is to produce a hinged or pivoted plate which will throw the supporting arm, carried thereby, to one side as will be hereinafter described. The free end of the plate 27 is normally held downward by a weight 28 which is slidably mounted within the tube and connected with the plate 27 by a chain or equivalent cable 29. On top of the tube 13 is mounted a cap or cover 30 having a slot 31 therein through which passes the supporting arm 32, the inner end of said arm being mounted in the opening 33 formed in the plate 27.

The supporting arm 32 projects upwardly and forwardly in some desirable symmetrical form such as shown in Fig. 1 and in its outer end is mounted the shank 34 of the clamp 35, said clamp being rotatable within certain limits which are regulated by the length of the slot 36 formed in the supporting arm in proximity to its outer end and the screw 37 which passes through said slot 36 into the shank 84.

The clamp 35 supports the receiver holder 40 which is formed from a single piece of metal bent upon itself at the center to form an attaching member 41 which is inserted in the clamp 35 and held in place by a suitable bolt- 42. From the attaching member 41, the receiver holder extends at right angles in opposite directions as indicated by 43 and 44, the latter being longer than the former, so that the weight of the receiver, when supported in the receiver holder will be distributed, thus preventing undue or accidental rotation. From the upper and lower edges of these right angled portions and at the outer ends thereof are formed the spring arms 45 in the form of an are between which is inserted the receiver.

46 denotes a finger carried by the vertical portion of the supporting arm 32 and this finger is adjustable so that the attachment may be made to fit telephones of different sizes. This finger is of sufficient length to extend over the receiver hook of the telephone and is adapted to engage said receiver hook and depress the same when the tele phone is out of use.

In some instances, it may be found necessary to leave the telephone and yet not wish to be cut off from the party with whom one is speaking, and for this reason, I have provided a catch 16, the nose of which projects into the tube and is provided with a flat upper surface and a beveled under face as plainly shown in Fig. 10.

l/Vhen the telephone is out of use, the upper end of the supporting arm 32 rests in proximity to the transmitter at which time the plate 27 lies beneath the nose of the catch but when the ear is placed against the receiver and the pressure of the head brought to bear thereon, the plate 27 will ride over the beveled under face of the catch and force the nose of said catch outward permitting the plate to pass the same, then by relieving the pressure upon the receiver, the plate 27 will rest upon the fiat surface and this will permit the telephone to remain open. After the party using the telephone has finished the conversation, the lower end of the catch may be pressed toward the tube causing the nose of said catch to be disengaged from the plate at which time the weight within the tube will draw the plate downward causing the finger 46 on the supporting arm to depress the receiver hook. In offices and stores where the telephone is constantly used, it is often found unnecessary to hold the telephone open, so that the catch is unnecessary, therefore I have provided means for holding the catch out of engagement with the plate 27 and this means consists of a casing 47 secured to the tube 13 and a latch 48 slidably mounted in said casing, said latch consisting of a body 49, two depending lugs 50 which act as stops to limit the movements of the latch and a finger hold 51, bent outward away from the tube. This latch is moved to one side so that one end thereof passes between the tube and the upper end of the catch 16 to hold the nose of said catch out of engagement with the plate 27.

In practice when the telephone is to be used the ear is placed against the receiver and a certain amount of pressure brought to bear thereon which will cause the arm 32 to swing to one side, with the shafts 26 as the fulcrum, at the same time raising the weight 28 within the tube 13. This allows the finger L6 to be disengaged from the receiver hook permitting said receiver hook to rise and open the telephone switch for talking. As soon as the ear is removed from the receiver, the pressure which held the arm 32 back, is taken away and the weight 28 drops downward in the tube 13 which brings the finger L6 into contact with the receiver hook thus depressing the latter and closing the telephone switch. At this time the position of the arm 82 will show that the telephone is out of use.

From this description it will be seen that the telephone may be used without placing the hands to any part leaving them free to write with, hold objects or do anything else that may be found necessary while telephoning.

hen the telephone is not in use the plate 27 rests below the nose of the catch but when pressure is brought to bear upon the receiver, the plate will readily ride over the beveled surface of the nose, and if the person using the telephone finds it necessary to leave the same, the plate 27 will rest upon the flat surface of the nose 15 and prevent the finger d6 from depressing the receiver hook. After the party using the telephone has finished his conversation, a slight pressure upon the catch 16 will cause the nose 15 to be disengaged from the plate2'7 at which time the weight 28 will draw said plate downward and close the telephone.

Of course I do not wish to be limited to the exact details of construction as here shown as these may be varied within the limits of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Having thus fully described my inven tion, what I claim as new and useful, is

1. In an attachment for telephones, base having an extension formed therewith in the form of a split ring, means for attaching said base to a telephone instrument, a tube carried by the base and held in place by the split ring, a plate pivotally hinged in the upper end of the tube, said pivot point being off center, a weight attached to said plate for normally drawing the major portion downward, an arm carried by said plate, a receiver holder carried by the outer end thereof and a finger carried by said arm adapted to co -act with the receiver hook for depressing the latter when the telephone is out of use.

2. In an attachment for telephones, a base, means for fastening said base to the telephone, a tube carried by said base, a plate pivotally hinged in the upper end of said tube, a weight slidably mounted in the tube, means for fastening said weight to the plate whereby a portion of said plate will be drawn downward, an arm carried by said plate, a receiver holder carried by said arm, a finger also carried by said arm co-acting with the receiver hook and a catch for bold ing the plate against the action of the weight.

3. In a device of the character described, a base, adapted to be attached to a telephone, a tube carried by said base, a supporting arm pivotally hinged to the tube, a finger carried by said arm adapted to coact with the receiver hook of the telephone for normally depressing said receiver hook, a weight mounted within the tube and attached to the support for normally drawing the finger into contact with the receiver hook, a catch for holding the support against the action of the weight and means co -acting with the catch whereby said catch will be prevented from holding the support against the action of the weight.

4. In a device of the character described, a base means carried thereby for attaching the same to a base of a telephone, a tube carried by the base, a plate pivot ally hinged within the tube, a supporting arm carried by said plate, a receiver holder carried by the outer end of the supporting arm, a finger also carried by the supporting arm adapted to co-act with the receiver hook, a weight slidably mounted within the tube, means for attaching said weight to the hinged plate, said weight adapted to, normally draw the finger into contact with the receiver hook for depressing said receiver hook, and means pivoted to the tube co-acting with thehinged plate for holding the same against the action of the weight.

5. In a device of the character described, a base, means carried thereby for attaching the same to a base of a telephone, a tube carried by the base, a plate pivotally hinged within the tube, a supporting arm carried by said plate, a receiver holder carried by the outer end of the supporting arm, a

finger also carried by the supporting arm adapted to co-act with the receiver hook, a weight slidably mounted within the tube, means for attaching said weight to the hinged plate, said weight adapted to normally draw the finger into contact with the receiver hook for depressing said receiver hook, a catch carried by the tube co -acting with the hinged plate for holding said plate against the action of the weight and means for holding said catch out of engagement with the hinged plate.

6. In a device of the character described, a base, means carried thereby for attaching the same to a base of a telephone, a tube carried by the base, a plate pivotally hinged within the tube, a supporting arm carried by said plate, a receiver holder carried by the outer end of the supporting arm, a finger also carried by the supporting arm adapted to co-act with the receiver hook, a weight slidably mount-ed within the tube,

means for attaching said weight to the hinged plate, said weight adapted to normally draw the finger into contact with the receiver hook for depressing said receiver hook, a catch carried by the tube co-acting with the hinged plate for holding said plate against the action of the weight, a casing secured to the tube adjacent the catch and a latch slidably mounted in said casing adapted to be forced between the tube and the upper end of the catch to hold the nose of said catch out of engagement with the hinged plate to permit the action of the weight to be transferred to the receiver hook for depressing the latter.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto aiiixed my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM BIMSON. Vitnesses GEORGE N. DE WVINToN, FRANZ C. KoENro.

Copies of this patent mav be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Washington, D. G. 

